The Story of Olympic Swimmer Duke Kahanamoku

By Ellen Crowe, Richard Waldrep
Paperback: $10.95

This entry in the innovative “Story” line of chapter-book biographies focuses on Duke Kahanamoku, the six-time Olympic swimming champion and a legendary surfer who popularized surfing around the world.

Front cover for Surfer of the Century by Ellie Crowe and Richard Waldrep
This book is also available in English
Surfer of the Century
By Ellen Crowe, Richard Waldrep

Description

Growing up in Hawai’i with the Pacific Ocean as his backyard, Duke Kahanamoku learned to swim and surf at a young age. By his early twenties, Duke’s lightning-fast swimming won him a place on the 1912 United States Olympic team and a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle race. Over the years Duke struggled with racism and financial troubles, but by the end of his twenty-year Olympic career, he was a six-time medal winner.

Although he became a swimming champion, Duke’s real passion was surfing. He traveled the world, introducing surfboarding to Australia and the east and west coasts of the United States. Considered the father of modern surfing, Duke spread his love of the ocean and Hawai’i wherever he went.

The Story of Olympic Swimmer Duke Kahanamoku introduces young readers to a man who was beloved for his modesty, sportsmanship, and amazing skill in the water. Today Duke remains a legendary waterman and an inspiration to all to live life with aloha.

This chapter book in our “Story” line includes black-and-white illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading.

About the Creators

Ellen Crowe

Ellie Crowe has written several award-winning children's books, as well as travel/cultural books on Hawai'i. Her titles have been recognized with the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature and on the Texas Bluebonnet Master List. Crowe first heard of Duke Kahanamoku while living in Australia. When she moved to Hawai'i, she found Duke was a hero there too. She lives in Honolulu with her family. You can visit her online at elliecrowe.com.

Richard Waldrep

Richard Waldrep's paintings honoring subjects as varied as the Olympic Games, American music, and history have appeared on thirty-nine US postage stamps. He has also created award-winning illustrations for editorial, publishing, advertising, and corporate clients including Men's Health , U.S. News and World Report , the Washington Post , and Parker Brothers. He lives in Sparks, Maryland.

Awards

  • Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature

    Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

  • Carter G. Woodson Award

    National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

  • Once Upon a World Children's Book Award

    The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives

  • Texas Bluebonnet Award Shortlist

    Texas Library Association (TLA)

Reviews

  • A good fit for confident readers, and for fans of the "Who Was?" series.

    - School Library Journal

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781620148525
  • Publication Date Jan 08, 2019
  • Trim Size 8.25 × 5.5 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 80
  • Word Count 6886
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Biography & Autobiography / Sports & Recreation
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / Sports & Recreation / Olympics
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Sports & Recreation / Water Sports
  • Themes Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Biography / Memoir, Courage, Discrimination, Dreams & Aspirations, History & Civics, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Sports, Sports History, United States History
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 12
  • Grade Range Grades 4 - 8
  • Guided Reading U
  • ATOS Book Level 6.7
  • DRA 44
  • Interest Level Grades 3 - 7
  • Lexile Level 1030
  • Reading Level Grades 3 - 7
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 107
      High-Low Books for Teens: Middle and High School
      Collection of 107 books: $1,639.70